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Norm Smith an AFL legend

Whispering_Jack

By Whispering_Jack
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Bobby McKenzie Redleg

Bobby McKenzie   2,268

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NORM SMITH AN AFL LEGEND

One of the highest individual honours the game can bestow has gone to one of the MFC's true greats - the late Norm Smith.

When I was a young teenager, I managed to sneak into the Melbourne rooms at half time. The Dees were the top team playing the lowly 'shinboners' and even though the game was being played at Arden St, we were only leading by one point. Smithy was furious and he let his players know about it. I can still see seasoned players like Barassi,Mithen, Spencer, Dixon and the like reacting so positively to his fiery words. Ronald Dale was almost frothing at the mouth and couldn't get back on the ground quick enough for the second half. As a result of Norm's words of wisdom the mighty Dees extended their one point lead to ten goals to easily win the game. Yes, Norm Smith was indeed a legend of the highest order. I hope we get another one like him one day. Don't we all!

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Dappa Dan Trident

Dappa Dan   2,188

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FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

This should have happened some time ago. I've been wondering when they'd finally do him the justice he so richly deserves.

He's a monument to our club, one of the most defining individuals in MFC's history, and is almost without peer in the history of Australian Rules Football...

Congratulations Norm.

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TonyMelb Demon

TonyMelb   7

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When I was a young teenager, I managed to sneak into the Melbourne rooms at half time. The Dees were the top team playing the lowly 'shinboners' and even though the game was being played at Arden St, we were only leading by one point. Smithy was furious and he let his players know about it. I can still see seasoned players like Barassi,Mithen, Spencer, Dixon and the like reacting so positively to his fiery words. Ronald Dale was almost frothing at the mouth and couldn't get back on the ground quick enough for the second half. As a result of Norm's words of wisdom the mighty Dees extended their one point lead to ten goals to easily win the game. Yes, Norm Smith was indeed a legend of the highest order. I hope we get another one like him one day. Don't we all!

Totally deserved and agree very long overdue

Bobby, those of us old enough to have seen Norm at work appreciate how good he was and the size of the shadow which has been cast over the MFC since the Board sacked him in 65. I was 10 yo and was also lucky enough to have got into the rooms prior to the 64 GF. Looked more like a hospital! Most of the players wore bandages of some kind. He is responsible for the passion for the MFC which many of us have!

I remember well watching from the members area as Norm walked towards the race on the Saturday after his sacking and how everyone sensed that the Demon spirit had been broken. Of course no one would have imagined we would be still waiting to come out from those shadows.

Once again we must look to the future and hope that our next coach can bring that something extra to reignite the Demon magic which you and I at least know exists.

The MFC Board and selection committee for the new coach have extremely important job to do in next few weeks!!!! Maybe the timing of this honour will assist them in appreciating that.

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QueenC Redleg

QueenC   74

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He's a monument to our club, one of the most defining individuals in MFC's history, and is almost without peer in the history of Australian Rules Football...

Very well said Dan, I couldn't agree more......

It is long overdue considering he was one of the original members inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 1996, but thankfully that over site has been rectified.

There is nothing much else to say about Norm Smith that hasn't already been said (other than my dad went to school with his son, Peter!!!), in that he was a true monument, and now a recognised legend, to not just the Melbourne Football Club, but to the game of Australian Rules itself.

Congratulations to Norm Smith on his new Hall of Fame official Legend status, but that is a position he has always held within the club and to its supporters.

Smith recognised as a legend

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warren dean Mighty Demon

warren dean   193

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We just need to get lucky 1 year like the filfh in 1990000000000000 :huh:

It took a legend (Matthews) to break that curse - I think we need a legend (Sheedy) to break ours. We need someone with presence; someone the players know has done it all; someone who puts club and performance above all else; someone who lives and coaches by the same principles as Norman Smith. There is only SHEEDY!

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bush demon Redleg

bush demon   1,928

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When I was a young teenager, I managed to sneak into the Melbourne rooms at half time. The Dees were the top team playing the lowly 'shinboners' and even though the game was being played at Arden St, we were only leading by one point. Smithy was furious and he let his players know about it. I can still see seasoned players like Barassi,Mithen, Spencer, Dixon and the like reacting so positively to his fiery words. Ronald Dale was almost frothing at the mouth and couldn't get back on the ground quick enough for the second half. As a result of Norm's words of wisdom the mighty Dees extended their one point lead to ten goals to easily win the game. Yes, Norm Smith was indeed a legend of the highest order. I hope we get another one like him one day. Don't we all!

Bobby, I think writers such as yourself should have a dedicated, pinned section ie a demonland heritage post.

I love reading your anecdotes from the red and blue past of our club. It would be great to see all these memories gathered in one place, so young demon supporters can go and drink at the well and learn why our club was in olden times so respected and feared.

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